Consultancy (Final Evaluation CDEHP)

1.     Introduction

International Rescue Committee is implementing a Community Driven Environmental Health Project (CDEHP) funded by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Government of Australia (DFAT) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The project aims at addressing the Environmental Health challenges faced by beneficiaries and government actors in poor rural communities in Mardan, Nowshera and Peshawar districts. The project relies for its success on a process of community engagement. The primary focus of the project is on the poor water and sanitation coverage in these areas, mobilizing the communities to tackle this issue using their own skills, energy and resources. The project also aims to empower communities and local actors including government line departments for better environmental health planning at districts and at village level. The improved WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) services will contribute to reducing diseases associated with poor sanitation, contaminated water and unhealthy environment. This is only possible when the communities and other actors are empowered with good knowledge of their rights, duties and sensitized about importance of environmental health challenges and its impacts. The project has 100,000 beneficiaries in 120 targeted communities and 90 schools. The project duration is 4 years and two months   (August 2013-Oct 2017)

2.     Project Description

The major components of the Community Driven Environmental Health Project are Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction, Research, Gender Mainstreaming and Social inclusion. The primary objective of EH activities is to reduce open defecation and encourage safe disposal of human excreta and introduce low cost latrine options. In addition, addressing poor water coverage and promote improved hygiene practices and natural environmental threats to human health and development are also the areas of focus. The drinking water in the targeted districts has been tested and results were shared with PHED (Public Health Engineering Department). The project outcomes are;

Outcome-1: Improved performance of actors in the WASH enabling environment 

Outcome-2: Improved gender equality 

Outcome-3: Improved WASH evidence and knowledge base

Outcome-4: Improved hygiene behavior 

Outcome-5: Increased use of equitable sanitation services 

Outcome-6: Increased use of improved and equitable water supply services

3.     Evaluation Purpose

The purpose of this Evaluation is to provide a systematic assessment about relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impacts and sustainability of IRC’s Community Driven Environmental Health Project. This study will enable the management to assess key project achievements, document learning, highlight implementation challenges faced and provide recommendations for future programming.

The Evaluation study should aim to assess the intended impacts of the project. The consultant is expected to come up with key evaluation questions based on the information shared. The evaluation questions need to be shared as part of the proposal from consultant’s side.  

4.     Methodology

The Evaluation consultant is expected to draft and share their proposed study methodology based on the project information, local context of the project working area and scientifically agreed standards. The methodology need to be the part of the proposal submitted by the consultant.  

Context specific methodological considerations

The security situation in the areas of operation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains volatile. To minimize the risk of adverse events, access to these sites will be organised by IRC and subject to IRC risk assessments and security protocols at the time of evaluation. The Evaluation team is expected to be aware of and respect the local norms, dress code, culture and traditions. For interaction with women, female evaluators will be engaged to avoid any cultural issue and to get maximum information.

5.     Key deliverables and schedule

The evaluation will take place between July-August 2017. Precise timings will be agreed by IRC Pakistan Country Office and the evaluators.  The final report is expected to be completed and submitted to IRC Pakistan by September 15, 2017. 

The evaluation team is expected to deliver three key written outputs;

1.       Inception Report detailing the evaluation team’s methodologies, activity work-plan and team responsibilities. The report will be produced within one week after finalization of the consultant. 

2.       Project Evaluation Report including project background, detailed findings and analysis, conclusions and concrete clear recommendations to inform future IRC programs and other humanitarian interventions

3.       PowerPoint presentation summarizing the background, findings, overall results and recommendations from the evaluation, presented in a clear and engaging format

 The report should include:

ü  Basic Information

ü  Executive Summary

ü  Introduction/Background of the project

ü  Evaluation methodology

ü  Findings from the evaluation 

ü  Recommendations/lessons

ü  Annexes - Evaluation ToRs, Evaluation schedule, List of persons interviewed and sites visited, Documents consulted, Data collection tools and detailed analysis

The draft final report will need to be presented to Senior Management.

The below table provides a rough guide for estimated days required for completion of key activities:

Activities

Timeline

Review of all project documents and Inception Report production

3 days

Data collection

7 days

Data analysis

3 days

Draft report preparation and presentation

4 days

Briefing / debriefing on draft report with IRC

1 day

Review and feedback on report

1Day

Submit final evaluation report after incorporating feedbacks/comments

3 days

Post- evaluation presentations and meetings with DFAT and other stakeholders

1 day

Total

23 days

6.     Evaluation Team

The team will be managed from the IRC Pakistan office with overall management responsibility held by IRC Pakistan EC-MEAL Coordinator, with leadership and involvement of other IRC Pakistan staff as appropriate for different components of the evaluation.

Specific skills and experience sought:

• Post-graduate degree in IR, Development Studies, and/or related field
• Proven record of undertaking Midterm evaluations / End of Project Evaluations of a similar nature including projects/programs of UN agencies, EU and other International donor organizations.
• Extensive knowledge of relevant sectors in humanitarian contexts, including environmental health and needs assessments.
• Experience in the use of participatory methodologies and developing gender sensitive evaluation methodologies;
• Strong knowledge of and familiarity with Pakistani humanitarian context particularly the KPK context.
• Relevant academic qualifications and training in related fields
• Significant experience in coordination, design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian programs 
• Excellent writing, communications and presentation skills
• Ability to write clear and useful reports (examples of previous work will need to be submitted)
• Fluency in English essential
• Understanding of donor requirements and policies
• Ability to manage the available time and resources and workout in meeting tight deadlines
• Independence from IRC, project stakeholders or other parties involved.